Daily Current Affairs & GK Updates

SEBI Operationalises ‘PaRRVA Framework’ For Transparency & Investor ProtectionIn April 2026, the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) operationalised the ‘Past Risk and Return Verification Agency (PaRRVA) framework’ to enhance transparency in performance claims made by market intermediaries.About PaRRVA:Regulatory Recognition: CARE Ratings Limited has been granted recognition as the PaRRVA, while National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) will function as the PaRRVA Data Centre (PDC), in line with the regulatory framework issued on April 4, 2025.Pilot Phase: Pilot phase of PaRRVA was launched on December 8, 2025.Post completion of the pilot phase, PaRRVA will begin providing its services on a regular basis from May 4, 2026.Objective: PaRRVA is India’s first to independently validate performance claims made by regulated intermediaries and unregistered finfluencers.

02 May, 2026

SEBI Operationalises ‘PaRRVA Framework’ For Transparency & Investor ProtectionIn April 2026, the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) operationalised the ‘Past Risk and Return Verification Agency (PaRRVA) framework’ to enhance transparency in performance claims made by market intermediaries.About PaRRVA:Regulatory Recognition: CARE Ratings Limited has been granted recognition as the PaRRVA, while National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) will function as the PaRRVA Data Centre (PDC), in line with the regulatory framework issued on April 4, 2025.Pilot Phase: Pilot phase of PaRRVA was launched on December 8, 2025.Post completion of the pilot phase, PaRRVA will begin providing its services on a regular basis from May 4, 2026.Objective: PaRRVA is India’s first to independently validate performance claims made by regulated intermediaries and unregistered finfluencers.

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RBI Eases Rules for Small NBFCs, Grants Exemptions from July 1, 2026In April 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the final guidelines, RBI (Non-Banking Financial Companies(NBFC) – Registration, Exemptions and Framework for Scale Based Regulation) Amendment Directions, 2026 for NBFCs not availing public funds and not having customer interface. The regulations come into effect from July 1, 2026.Framework:Unregistered Type I NBFCs: NBFCs that do not avail of public funds and do not have a customer interface and have an asset size of less than Rs 1,000 crore (Crs) from the requirement of registration with the RBI.These entities will be classified as ‘Unregistered Type I NBFCs’, while all other NBFCs will be categorised as ‘Type II NBFCs’.One-time window: Existing NBFCs meeting these criteria have been given a one-time window to apply for deregistration by December 31, 2026, introducing, for the first time, a structured exit route from the regulatory framework.Suo Motu Loan Resolution in Calamities: The RBI also issued directions in which it has allowed banks and non-bank lenders to implement suo motu resolution for borrowers affected by natural calamities on the recommendation of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC). The revised rules will come into effect from 1 July 2026.

02 May, 2026

RBI Eases Rules for Small NBFCs, Grants Exemptions from July 1, 2026In April 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the final guidelines, RBI (Non-Banking Financial Companies(NBFC) – Registration, Exemptions and Framework for Scale Based Regulation) Amendment Directions, 2026 for NBFCs not availing public funds and not having customer interface. The regulations come into effect from July 1, 2026.Framework:Unregistered Type I NBFCs: NBFCs that do not avail of public funds and do not have a customer interface and have an asset size of less than Rs 1,000 crore (Crs) from the requirement of registration with the RBI.These entities will be classified as ‘Unregistered Type I NBFCs’, while all other NBFCs will be categorised as ‘Type II NBFCs’.One-time window: Existing NBFCs meeting these criteria have been given a one-time window to apply for deregistration by December 31, 2026, introducing, for the first time, a structured exit route from the regulatory framework.Suo Motu Loan Resolution in Calamities: The RBI also issued directions in which it has allowed banks and non-bank lenders to implement suo motu resolution for borrowers affected by natural calamities on the recommendation of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC). The revised rules will come into effect from 1 July 2026.

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Union Minister Rajnath Singh Attends SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting 2026 in Bishkek, KyrgyzstanOn April 28 2026, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence(MoD), attended the 23rd Defence Ministers’ Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Highlights of 23rd Defence Ministers’ Meeting of SCO:Focus: The meeting focused on strengthening regional security cooperation, counter-terrorism efforts, and promoting stability amid evolving global challenges.Participants: It witnessed participation from defence ministers of SCO member states, including India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus.India’s Stand: UnionMinister Rajnath Singh, MoD, highlighted India’s commitment to global peace amid prevailing security challenges and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and extremism.Bilateral Engagements: On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, MoD, held bilateral talks with defence ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, China and Belarus to enhance defence cooperation, strengthen sectoral collaboration, and promote capacity building and training.

02 May, 2026

Union Minister Rajnath Singh Attends SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting 2026 in Bishkek, KyrgyzstanOn April 28 2026, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence(MoD), attended the 23rd Defence Ministers’ Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Highlights of 23rd Defence Ministers’ Meeting of SCO:Focus: The meeting focused on strengthening regional security cooperation, counter-terrorism efforts, and promoting stability amid evolving global challenges.Participants: It witnessed participation from defence ministers of SCO member states, including India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus.India’s Stand: UnionMinister Rajnath Singh, MoD, highlighted India’s commitment to global peace amid prevailing security challenges and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and extremism.Bilateral Engagements: On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, MoD, held bilateral talks with defence ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, China and Belarus to enhance defence cooperation, strengthen sectoral collaboration, and promote capacity building and training.

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THE Asia University Rankings 2026: Tsinghua University Tops the List; IISc Bengaluru Emerges as India’s Top University In April 2026, the United Kingdom (UK)-based Times Higher Education (THE) released the 14th Asia University Rankings 2026, in which Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, Karnataka, emerged as India’s top university, and the only Indian institute in the top 50, securing 43rd rank in Asia with an overall score of 65.1, down from 38th in 2025.Tsinghua University in China secured first place for the 8th consecutive year with a score of 93.6, followed by Peking University (China) in second place with 93.1, and the National University of Singapore in third place with a score of 91.1.Highlights:Top 10 Universities : Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and the University of Tokyo, Japan jointly ranked 4th with scores of 85.1 each, followed by the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong in 6th place (84.3), Fudan University, China in 7th (82.9), Zhejiang University, China in 8th (82.6), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China in 9th (82.1), and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong in 10th with a score of 81.1.Top Performers: China dominates with the top two positions and five of the top 10 spots, while Singapore and Hong Kong each have two universities in the top 10 rankings.Top Representation: India led with 128 universities, followed by Japan (115) and Turkey(109).

02 May, 2026

THE Asia University Rankings 2026: Tsinghua University Tops the List; IISc Bengaluru Emerges as India’s Top University In April 2026, the United Kingdom (UK)-based Times Higher Education (THE) released the 14th Asia University Rankings 2026, in which Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, Karnataka, emerged as India’s top university, and the only Indian institute in the top 50, securing 43rd rank in Asia with an overall score of 65.1, down from 38th in 2025.Tsinghua University in China secured first place for the 8th consecutive year with a score of 93.6, followed by Peking University (China) in second place with 93.1, and the National University of Singapore in third place with a score of 91.1.Highlights:Top 10 Universities : Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and the University of Tokyo, Japan jointly ranked 4th with scores of 85.1 each, followed by the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong in 6th place (84.3), Fudan University, China in 7th (82.9), Zhejiang University, China in 8th (82.6), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China in 9th (82.1), and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong in 10th with a score of 81.1.Top Performers: China dominates with the top two positions and five of the top 10 spots, while Singapore and Hong Kong each have two universities in the top 10 rankings.Top Representation: India led with 128 universities, followed by Japan (115) and Turkey(109).

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Union MoS Sanjay Seth Launches ‘Namo Stall Scheme’ for Vendors in Ranchi In April 2026, Union Minister of State(MoS) Sanjay Seth, Ministry of Defence(MoD), launched the ‘Namo Stall Scheme’ for street fruit and vegetable vendors in Ranchi, Jharkhand, under Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi(PM SVANidhi) Scheme.About Namo Stall Scheme:Objective: The scheme focuses on empowering local vendors by offering better infrastructure, enhancing visibility, and promoting self-employment.Implementation: In the initial phase, five vendors were allotted free stalls under the scheme, with each stall costing approximately Rs.50,000.PM SVANidhi Scheme: It is a central-sector micro-credit scheme launched on 1 June 2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA) to support street vendors.It provides collateral-free working capital loans of Rs.10,000, with subsequent loans of Rs.20,000 and Rs.50,000, along with a 7% interest subsidy.

02 May, 2026

Union MoS Sanjay Seth Launches ‘Namo Stall Scheme’ for Vendors in Ranchi In April 2026, Union Minister of State(MoS) Sanjay Seth, Ministry of Defence(MoD), launched the ‘Namo Stall Scheme’ for street fruit and vegetable vendors in Ranchi, Jharkhand, under Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi(PM SVANidhi) Scheme.About Namo Stall Scheme:Objective: The scheme focuses on empowering local vendors by offering better infrastructure, enhancing visibility, and promoting self-employment.Implementation: In the initial phase, five vendors were allotted free stalls under the scheme, with each stall costing approximately Rs.50,000.PM SVANidhi Scheme: It is a central-sector micro-credit scheme launched on 1 June 2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA) to support street vendors.It provides collateral-free working capital loans of Rs.10,000, with subsequent loans of Rs.20,000 and Rs.50,000, along with a 7% interest subsidy.

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MEA Secretary Dr. Neena Malhotra Chairs BRICS MENA Meeting 2026 in Delhi Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), chaired the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys for the Middle East and North Africa (BRICS MENA) meeting in New Delhi, Delhi, on 23–24 April 2026, in line with India’s BRICS Chairship.The meeting saw participation from BRICS member countries, focusing on regional stability, humanitarian crises, and the ongoing conflict in West Asia.About BRICS MENA Meeting 2026:Focus: Members expressed deep concern over regional developments in the Middle East, including the situation in Palestine and Gaza, humanitarian assistance, and the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).They reiterated zero tolerance for terrorism, welcomed the Lebanon ceasefire, and condemned attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).Regions: Discussions included post-conflict reconstruction in Syria, political settlement in Yemen, stability and development in Iraq, political process in Libya, and humanitarian crisis in Sudan.Outcome: The meeting concluded with members agreeing to meet again under China’s chairship in 2027.

02 May, 2026

MEA Secretary Dr. Neena Malhotra Chairs BRICS MENA Meeting 2026 in Delhi Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), chaired the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys for the Middle East and North Africa (BRICS MENA) meeting in New Delhi, Delhi, on 23–24 April 2026, in line with India’s BRICS Chairship.The meeting saw participation from BRICS member countries, focusing on regional stability, humanitarian crises, and the ongoing conflict in West Asia.About BRICS MENA Meeting 2026:Focus: Members expressed deep concern over regional developments in the Middle East, including the situation in Palestine and Gaza, humanitarian assistance, and the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).They reiterated zero tolerance for terrorism, welcomed the Lebanon ceasefire, and condemned attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).Regions: Discussions included post-conflict reconstruction in Syria, political settlement in Yemen, stability and development in Iraq, political process in Libya, and humanitarian crisis in Sudan.Outcome: The meeting concluded with members agreeing to meet again under China’s chairship in 2027.

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Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Attends NRAI’s 75th Anniversary Celebrations; Launches NRAI Athlete AppOn April 27 2026, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports(MYAS), attended the 75th anniversary celebrations of the National Rifle Association of India(NRAI), held at Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range (DKSSR) Finals Hall in New Delhi, Delhi.About the Launched InitiativesCommemorative Logo: The logo was unveiled to mark 75 years of Indian shooting, symbolising seven and a half decades of excellence, discipline, and remarkable achievements in the sport.MyNRAI Athlete App: The NRAI Athlete App is a transformative digital platform that positions the NRAI as India’s first fully digitised sports federation. Grassroots Initiative: : The NRAI announced a nationwide programme to introduce 7.5 lakh school and college students to shooting before the 2028 Olympics through a hands-on “10-shot experience.”

02 May, 2026

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Attends NRAI’s 75th Anniversary Celebrations; Launches NRAI Athlete AppOn April 27 2026, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports(MYAS), attended the 75th anniversary celebrations of the National Rifle Association of India(NRAI), held at Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range (DKSSR) Finals Hall in New Delhi, Delhi.About the Launched InitiativesCommemorative Logo: The logo was unveiled to mark 75 years of Indian shooting, symbolising seven and a half decades of excellence, discipline, and remarkable achievements in the sport.MyNRAI Athlete App: The NRAI Athlete App is a transformative digital platform that positions the NRAI as India’s first fully digitised sports federation. Grassroots Initiative: : The NRAI announced a nationwide programme to introduce 7.5 lakh school and college students to shooting before the 2028 Olympics through a hands-on “10-shot experience.”

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Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to UP from April 28-29, 2026 In April 2026, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Uttar Pradesh (UP) on 28–29 April 2026, April, where he participated in the Mahila Sammelan in Varanasi (Kashi) and inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development projects worth around Rs. 6,350 crore.The visit included major programmes in Varanasi and Hardoi, focusing on women empowerment, infrastructure development, healthcare, tourism, railways, and expressway connectivity.Highlights:Event: PM Narendra Modi attended a Mahila Sammelan in Varanasi with large participation of women and performed darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Temple while announcing and launching major development initiatives.Outlay: Projects worth about Rs.6,350 crore were inaugurated and had foundation stones laid, including over 48 completed projects worth Rs.1,050+ crore and 112 projects worth Rs.5,300+ crore.Inauguration: PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ganga Expressway in Hardoi as a major step in advancing world-class infrastructure.Project: The 594 kilometer (km)-long, 6-lane (expandable to 8 lanes) greenfield access-controlled expressway, built at Rs.36,230 crore, connects 12 districts from Meerut to Prayagraj across western, central, and eastern UP.

02 May, 2026

Overview of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to UP from April 28-29, 2026 In April 2026, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Uttar Pradesh (UP) on 28–29 April 2026, April, where he participated in the Mahila Sammelan in Varanasi (Kashi) and inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development projects worth around Rs. 6,350 crore.The visit included major programmes in Varanasi and Hardoi, focusing on women empowerment, infrastructure development, healthcare, tourism, railways, and expressway connectivity.Highlights:Event: PM Narendra Modi attended a Mahila Sammelan in Varanasi with large participation of women and performed darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Temple while announcing and launching major development initiatives.Outlay: Projects worth about Rs.6,350 crore were inaugurated and had foundation stones laid, including over 48 completed projects worth Rs.1,050+ crore and 112 projects worth Rs.5,300+ crore.Inauguration: PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ganga Expressway in Hardoi as a major step in advancing world-class infrastructure.Project: The 594 kilometer (km)-long, 6-lane (expandable to 8 lanes) greenfield access-controlled expressway, built at Rs.36,230 crore, connects 12 districts from Meerut to Prayagraj across western, central, and eastern UP.

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World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026 – April 28World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed annually across the globe on April 28 to promote safe workplaces, reduce work-related accidents and diseases, and advocate for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards globally.2026 Theme: “Let’s ensure a healthy psychosocial working environment”Background:Establishment: The International Labour Organization (ILO) instituted the World Day for Safety and Health at Work in 2003 during the International Labour Conference (ILC), alongside the adoption of a global occupational safety and health strategy.First Observance : The Day was first observed on 28 April 2003 Led by: An annual observation is led by the International Labour Organization (ILO) under the United Nations (UN).ILO Campaign 2026: For World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026, the ILO released campaign materials, including a global report that examines psychosocial risks at the job level, work organization, and broader workplace policies.

30 Apr, 2026

World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026 – April 28World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed annually across the globe on April 28 to promote safe workplaces, reduce work-related accidents and diseases, and advocate for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards globally.2026 Theme: “Let’s ensure a healthy psychosocial working environment”Background:Establishment: The International Labour Organization (ILO) instituted the World Day for Safety and Health at Work in 2003 during the International Labour Conference (ILC), alongside the adoption of a global occupational safety and health strategy.First Observance : The Day was first observed on 28 April 2003 Led by: An annual observation is led by the International Labour Organization (ILO) under the United Nations (UN).ILO Campaign 2026: For World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026, the ILO released campaign materials, including a global report that examines psychosocial risks at the job level, work organization, and broader workplace policies.

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China Launches Pakistani Satellite ‘PRSC-EO3’ Aboard Long March-6 Rocket In April 2026, China’s national space agency China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched Pakistan’s PRSC-EO3 (Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite–Earth Observation-3) aboard a Long March-6 rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province, successfully placing it into its designated orbit and marking the 640th mission of China’s Long March rocket series.About PRSC-EO3 Satellite:Satellite: PRSC-EO3 is an Electro-Optical (EO) Earth Observation satellite developed indigenously by SUPARCO as part of Pakistan’s EO constellation.Technology: The satellite uses visible, near-infrared, and ultraviolet sensors with advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based onboard data processing and multi-geometry imaging for high-resolution and 3D (Dimension) terrain analysis.Function: It enables Earth observation, remote sensing, environmental monitoring, urban planning, agricultural assessment, and disaster management.

30 Apr, 2026

China Launches Pakistani Satellite ‘PRSC-EO3’ Aboard Long March-6 Rocket In April 2026, China’s national space agency China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched Pakistan’s PRSC-EO3 (Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite–Earth Observation-3) aboard a Long March-6 rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province, successfully placing it into its designated orbit and marking the 640th mission of China’s Long March rocket series.About PRSC-EO3 Satellite:Satellite: PRSC-EO3 is an Electro-Optical (EO) Earth Observation satellite developed indigenously by SUPARCO as part of Pakistan’s EO constellation.Technology: The satellite uses visible, near-infrared, and ultraviolet sensors with advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based onboard data processing and multi-geometry imaging for high-resolution and 3D (Dimension) terrain analysis.Function: It enables Earth observation, remote sensing, environmental monitoring, urban planning, agricultural assessment, and disaster management.

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